Major Drug Bust in Jaisalmer: Police Seize 14kg Heroin Worth Rs 70 Crore
In a significant narcotics operation, the Pugal police of Bikaner district in Rajasthan made a startling discovery on Tuesday, recovering a massive 14 kilograms of heroin from a scooter. The incident unfolded when authorities responded to reports of an injured and unconscious man found on a main road near Pugal.
Accident Leads to Unexpected Drug Recovery
According to police officials, the youth was discovered approximately 7 kilometers from Pugal towards Khajuwala. Initially treated as a routine road accident case, police personnel arrived at the scene and promptly transported the injured individual to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The scooter involved in the incident was subsequently brought to the Pugal police station for further investigation as part of standard accident protocol.
Pugal Station House Officer Samarveer Singh provided crucial details about the discovery. During a thorough search of the scooter at the police station, officers located a suspicious yellow-colored packet concealed within the vehicle's dickey. Upon closer examination, this packet was found to contain three separate parcels, which collectively held 27 smaller packets filled with heroin.
Substantial Haul with International Implications
The total weight of the seized narcotics amounted to 14 kilograms, with police estimating its staggering international market value at approximately Rs 70 crore. This recovery represents one of the substantial drug seizures in the region in recent times, highlighting ongoing concerns about narcotics trafficking in border areas.
The injured youth was identified as Khetaram, a 22-year-old resident of Pali district. Police investigation revealed that he had departed from Khajuwala early in the morning and reportedly met with an accident in the Pugal area after colliding with a stray animal. He received initial medical treatment at Pugal Hospital before being referred to PBM Hospital in Bikaner for further care, where he remained under treatment at the time of reporting.
Possible Cross-Border Smuggling Connection
Authorities are currently examining the recovery for potential links to drone-based smuggling operations originating from across the international border. Police sources indicated that specific intelligence inputs regarding a heroin dropping in the border area had emerged during the night of April 20-21, suggesting this seizure might be connected to broader cross-border narcotics trafficking networks.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement agencies face in combating drug smuggling, particularly in border regions where innovative methods like drone deliveries are increasingly being employed by traffickers. The Pugal police continue their investigation to determine the full scope of this smuggling operation and identify any additional individuals involved in the narcotics distribution chain.
